Death Comes in Threes: Icons and Genius

The well-worn expression of "death comes in three's" surely comes to mind at the news of the deaths of three big entertainers this week: Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett, and Michael Jackson. It sounds so cliché, and yet so appropriate given these high-profile deaths occurring so close together: McMahon two days ago, and Fawcett and Jackson yesterday. I'm sure there will be thousands of bloggers posting with the same title or thoughts, and, yet, all three were big icons of my youth.

Ed McMahon, who passed away Tuesday at 86 years of age after a long bout with cancer and related pneumonia, was Johnny Carson's sidekick for 30 years on "The Tonight Show." Many of us stayed up a bit past the 10:00 news just to at least watch Johnny's monologue. To be honest, I never really cared for McMahon, finding him annoying at times, but when I put that aside and think of how much he permeated American society, it is impressive. All of us adults know the "Heeeeeeeeeeeeeere's Johnny!" Trademark! We saw him promoting countless products on TV, and he was a trusted face and voice.

Farrah Fawcett was someone in my high school years that all of us girls idolized and all the boys lusted after. We girls all wanted her hair, and I think every boy must have had her famous poster pinned up in their rooms. Watching "Charlie's Angels" was one of the high points of our week, back in the days of "Happy Days" and "Starsky and Hutch." I was always impressed with how this 70's pin-up girl maintained her beauty and the awe of everyone even into her 60s.

Michael Jackson's passing on the same day as Farrah brought a too early and so sad ending to Jackson's life. His last years were wrought with scandal, accusations, astronomic debt, and an overall weirdness his appearance and actions. But, given his alleged abusive childhood followed by the hounding he endured as an adult, who wouldn't develop weird behaviors?

I never got around to buying his music until right now ... downloading a greatest hits album from iTunes as I type ... due to his odd life and the accusations and charges against him. But, I always wanted to think the accusations were false and that Jackson truly was a good guy. I do recall how everyone waited with so much excitement surrounding his Thriller video on MTV. Back in the 80s, he cranked out hit after hit and truly was the King of Pop. No one has taken his place since.

Now as I look back on the hey day of his career, I believe that Jackson played a pivotal role in helping tear down many racial divides. It seemed everybody -- Black and White -- was a fan and feverishly buying his music. This one-of-a-kind entertainer ... no, musical and entertainment genius ... had a talent that was admired by everyone. Everyone loved his music, wanted to be him, to imitate him, to dress like him. I remember the wild leather jackets that were the hottest trend at the time, a lá "Thriller." His genius was undeniable.

How sad that he was on the verge of making a comeback, having lined up 50 concerts in London to start next month on July 13th. We will all forever wonder if he would have been successful at this enormous attempt and re-establishing himself in the good graces of society.

How many entertainers have experienced such worldwide worship and adoration? How many entertainers have caused a groan to fall over New York's Time Square as the news of his death passed across the big screens? How many entertainers, let alone events, have actually caused the Internet to slow down as people and websites spread the news of his death?